Empower Blog Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)

RBA Rate decision – September 2013

Not even the biggest of mug punters would have bet on a further rate cut this month so close to Saturday’s federal election.  That’s right, as expected the RBA left the cash rate on hold.  Even though the RBA is independent of any sitting government, it is fair to say the upcoming election, in my view, is something the RBA must factor into th...

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RBA Rate decision – July 2013

Although the RBA still has scope to move on rates, as indicated within minutes of its last board meeting, they chose to leave rates on hold this month, which was in line with the market consensus of most economists. Helping them with this decision was the movement in the Australia dollar, which has now found a base around the 92 cents US.  The ...

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RBA Rate decision – June 2013

Although Shane Oliver (AMP Capital), a high profile economist, had predicted another rate cut this month, the RBA decided to leave the cash rate on hold for now at its board meeting today. Bill Evans, another high profile economist (Westpac) was also in the cut camp until only last week, when some positive data and the declining dollar swayed hi...

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RBA Rate decision – May 2013

The decision for the RBA to reduce interest rates this month, took most economist and cash rate commentators including myself a little bit by surprise.  Sure the recent economic data highlighted our economy was losing its mo-joe, but again there were signs for me around greater buying activity and strong employment that lead me to thinking there m...

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RBA Rate decision – April 2013

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left interest rates on hold as widely expected at its board meeting today.  It continues to sit on the fence to consider further economic data following its series of cuts last year, plus the developing story of the new Euro crisis – Cyprus.  Then there’s China, which I come to later.... On the domestic ho...

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RBA Rates Decision – March 2013

The RBA decided to keep interest rates on hold at their March board meeting, as they sit on the fence waiting to see further data flowing through from the significant easing on the cash rate they did last year. Critical figures released last week show there are certain signs of a slowing in the capital expenditure in the mining sector.  Althoug...

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RBA Rates Decision – February 2013

The RBA left interest rates on hold today, which was expected by most economists and commentators, although the inflation data was lower than consensus opening the window for a possible cut.  However the strong employment position would have outweighed the need for a cut right now.  So the cash rate remains at 3.00% This easing cycle has seen ...

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Banks to Move on Rates outside of RBA Call

There has been some media activity within the finance industry and also within the consumer space around speculation that a bank or some lending institutions will move their interest rates down, outside of the RBA cash rate announcement. The speculation has arisen due to the easing in the costs of wholesale funds, which in simple terms is the co...

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Interest Rate Outlook for 2013 – Variable or Fix?

As a professional who makes a living out of helping people find the right lending option and loan structuring outcomes,  I know I will get asked what should ‘we’ meaning my clients,  be doing regarding our lending in 2013. Everybody got your Crystal Balls out? Good, because we are going to need them to pick what is going to happen with...

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RBA Rates Decision – December 2012

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has delivered an early Christmas gift for mortgage Holders with a rate cut of 0.25%. This brings the cash rate to 3.00%, which is at the level seen during the depths of the GFC.  So great news for those who hold debt, but not so pleasing to those who have savings deposits, as this will result in less interest in...

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RBA Rates Decision – October 2012

The RBA has reduced the cash rate at its October Board Meeting by 0.25%.  This brings the cash rate down to 3.25%. Most market analysts were split 50/50 on this decision to reduce rates, but for an economy that is definitely showing signs of slowing, it comes as welcome news to a mortgage holder. How welcome that news is will be left i...

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RBA Rates Decision – September 2012

The RBA today decided to keep the official cash rate at 3.5%, which was in line with economists and market expectations.  This decision was most likely made without the full impacts of several key data releases yesterday being fully assessed, but which point to a further slowing in the Australian economy. Here is a summary of some of the data, ...

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RBA Rates Decision – August 2012

The RBA board met today at their August Board Meeting and decided to leave the cash rate at the current level – 3.5%.  Even though the recent inflation data released indicates that inflation is no problem at all.  In fact, it is currently sitting under the target range of 2-3%, which could have given them justification for a further rate cut th...

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